Can-testing machine.



PATBNTED PEB. l, 1906.

C. B. MUDONALD.

PATBNTBD PEB. 13, 1906.

G.,B. MODONALD. CAN TESTING MACHINE. APPILIOATION FILED sBPT. 11. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

120.812,22@ PATENTBD PEB.13.'1906. o. B. MUDONALD.'

GAN TESTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED'SEPT. ll, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

NITD STATES PATENT OFFICE, i' 'cHARLEs B f Monnh, oFcHicAGo,f1LLi`Nois. 'i l i GN- TSTWG MACHINE.'

No. 812,224.A

In tI/l whom may concern:

Be it known thatI, .CHARLES B; McDoN- f ALD, a citizen of the United States, residingat Chicago, in the county of Cook and-'State of'lllinois, havev invented certain'new and useful Improvements in Can- Testing Machines, of which the following is a specifica- -tion. i y

Thel machine of this invention has for itsobjectto provide mechanism for automatically testing cans and sorting out any cans which may bedefectiveby reasonof punc-l tures or leaks'. This operation is performed without the necessity for immersingthe cans in water as is ordinarily done and Without the necessity for constant attention on the part of the operator, the entire function of testingand sorting the cans being performed autoand arrangement ofadplurality of sealing-` heads, each one adapte matically after the cans have beendelivered to the machine. y

The invention consists in the'con'struction t`o clamp and seal a can duringone revolution' ofthe machine and during the testing operation, and in -tl1epro vision of pneumatically operated plungers adapted to'be actuated byiaJ perfect can to allow the -can to be discharged at ajpredetermined point and adapted to -rem'ain inactive when an imperfect can is inserted, thereby providing forv the dischargerof all leaky orv otherwise imperfect cans at a different predetermined point, which arrangement provides fprthe proper sepleliN-ation of the cans. The invention ther consistsin themethod of contracting and retracting the clamfp- -ing-rods for the insertion and discharge of cans and in the provisionof -a series of camvss'- lugs positioned at suitable different operations. The invention consists, finally, invi the .features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

points'l to effect the In the drawings, Figure 1 isa side elevationvr 7, a longitudinal elevation of the sealing-head,

and Fig. 8 a section taken online`8 8 of Fig. 4.

The machine consists of 'a base-plate 1, having uprights orposts 2, which serve to support a circular plate 3, Which forms a base Specification of Letters .'natent.l Anplication filed Septemberll, 19(l5.v Serial No. 277.922.

Ai ortable for the sup 1 iiee 1 1' irei. 13,1906;

anism. Theftab e has mounted thereon a ing radiating arms 6, which terminate in a ring 7. (Best shwnin Fig'. 3.) The hub 5 is in the form of a rin which surrounds a bearin 8 inthe form o a cone 9, which is carrie upon and'formed integrally with a circular- 1 base 10, having a flanged bottom 11, which rests upon and issupported by the table 3, as l best shown in- Fig. 2, The circular base portion.10 forn1s' a:.'shoulder 12 in conjunction port ofthe operating mechi spider 4, consisting of a circular hub 5,' havi with thetapered cone portion, and the cone terminates at its upper end in ascreW-threaded stud 13. The cone serves as a bearing for a hub 14, which is' provided with a tapered utment for a cap 19, which is screwed onto the st ud 13 and serves tQ prevent the ingress yof dirt or .grit into thebearing.` The hub 1s further provided with an upper v'circular attaching-face-ZO and a'lower attaching-face 21,

- separated by means of a circular flange 22, as `best shown in Fi 2.

, The hub has secured thereto, near its. ower end, aJ .ear-wheel 23,

andabovlir the circular iiange .is secured a lrin -shaped attaching-plate 24, to which the l(lingheads are secured and from which they radiate. VThe gear-Wheel 23 is rotated by means of a pinion 25,' carried by a'shaft 26, to which rotation is imparted through the Q int'erior 15, coinciding with the taper of the vcone-bearing, and the tapered; interior at its divergent end terminates in a circular bore 16,-leaving a shoulder .-17, which allows the hub: as a wholeto fit closely around the stationary bearing. i The hub on its interior is formed to have an Y Vupper flange 1 8, which serves as a step or.

Awhich abuts against the circu ar flange and encircles the lower attaching-face of 'the hub,

middle-of intermeshin bevel-pinions 27 an'd f,

28, the latterof whic 1 is mounted upon a ower-shaft 29, mountedwithin a journalox 30, suitably locatedupon the bed-plate of the machine. l

.The attaching-plate 24 has radiating there- .from a' series of' sealing-heads of any suitable For the purposes of illustration -four sealing-heads only are shown, although the number can be increased to any desired number.

extent. Each of the sealing-heads consists of a tubular shank 31, having at its attaclnng end an L-shaped bracket 32, consisting ofavertically -extending arm 33 and horizon- IOO tally-extending arm 34, the'latter of which isl secured to' the upper face of the ring-shaped.

io radially-arranged air-ducts, one foreach of' the sealing-heads. The air-ducts at their inner ends open in the same horizontal plane,

and air is admitted to the ducts successively .through a single air duct 39, whichopens Athrough :the-face of the cone-bearing on a line with the path of -travel of the radially-extend-.ing air-ducts. Air is admitted =.to the .duct 39 through acentrally-located pipe 4.0., which extends-down through the supportingzo .table 3 .and has .connected therewith a flexible air-tube 41,l leading to a suitable source .of .supply -for compressed u The nipple .36, which Venters into .the periphery of the ring-shaped attaching-plate, serves, in combination with the screw-bolt 3.5,' to iirmly position the sealing-head in ,place and `allow it `to extend out over the stationary ringlate 7 without the necessity `of providing `other meansof support. The

, 3o shank 3l has kthereina bore 42, vwhich passes through an inner sealing-plate 43, .providedy with'a nipple 44, `which is encircled by a mlb- Aiberngasket 45, Which-serves as a sealing-ring.. The shank 31 'has formed thereon a circular 35 ange 46,.into which is screw-threaded a tu- Ibi1-lar,ca-sing 47having onits top. a `tubular extension 48 yof less internal and external diameter than. the casing 46, and through the- .end of the 4extension is :entered a movable 4o stud .49, mounted at its Elower endon a plate 50., beneath which is located a leXible -diaphragml, which is actuated by means of' compressed .air .admitted through a branch .port 52,-.leadingfto the ibore 42 in the shank 145 of thesealing-head. y

f The movable stud 49 is surrounded lby al coilfspring 53, which holdsit normally de- .pessei forcing down the diaphragm into f, t micontact with lthe floor ol' thediaphragm- 5o chamber, but allowing the stud to beraised by the xmovementiol" the diaphragm. The stud outwardly projects from the diaphragm-casrng and terminates 'in a pin 54 of less diameter than the stud, leaving aconical or cam 5 5 surfacea-tithe end of the stud. The movablestudioperats with a catch-finger 56, terminating in ahead 57, having a conical end 58, whichis lheld' normally in contact with the bevelor cam..surface 5510i the stud by 6o means .offacoil-spring 59. The catch-finger vis slidabl-y mountednwithin 'a casing 60 and extends lindiagonal relation to the shank of the sealing-head and when Iin forwardly-projected position is adapted to be thrust under plates.

the head 61 of aplungerZ forthe purpose adapted either to fall by gravity or` be de pressedA by the action of a coil-spring 64.

The inner sealing-plate 4,3 coperates with an outer sealing-plate 65, each of which lates is kite-shaped, .and the outer sealing-p ate Iis movable with respect tto the inner plate to clamp and hold -a Ican 66 between the two The Iinner late, which is formed integrally with the s ank -\on this sealing-head has inwardly extending therefrom a sleeve AA67, wliich surrounds -fa reciprocating rod 68, 4 upon ,which the outer sealingspl'ate is mount` `ed`-and along `which i-t can be adjusted and held in adjusted position'by means of a jam- .nut 69, Any rotation of the sealing-plate is 'prevented iby the provision4 of a set-screw 70,

which passes throughv a sleeve 71, outwardly extending .from the outer sealing-plate, and

,in fthe upper -face of the .reciprocating adjust- .ing-rod. The .rod ,'at its inner end .passes 'through :a vbearing-sleeve 73, outwardly eX- ytending 'from the shank and in alinement with the sleeve-67, andy Vbetween the two sleeves is a collar .74, rigidly secured to the adjusting-rod by means of a set-screwy 75, to

- whichcollar is pivoted'a link 76, ywhich latter has pivoted thereto .a bell-crank lever 77. Thewbe'll-cra-nk leverisipi-voted to a-boss 78 on the end face of the shank67, and the forward or-free end ofthe 'bell-crank lever has mount.

`to vary the distance between the sealing* plates.

The ring-plate 7 vhas secured :thereto at one side an Ioutwardly extending segmentalshapedplate-SQ, .the'face ofwv'hich is ata ver- .tical elevation to allo-w -the roller 79 to clear the* plate :as :the sealing-plate `is 'revolving around the machine.' As shown in Fig. 3, the plate '80fis provided with -a discharge-cam 81, having a `-bevfeledinner .'face82, -which lies within the path of travelof the roller .7 9 and is adapted to throwthe roller `from the :position indicated by a dotted circle-a to the 4osition vindicated by .the dotted rcircle t. Tlhis movement op ens ythe sealing-plates and'allows a can to be inserted betweenithe sealing-plates when the sealing-head 'passed `to :a position beneath :the end of `a chute 83. As the can falls between the sealing-plates thefroller (indicated by the dotted circle c) 'strikes a locking-cam 84, having a beveled outer -face 85, and said roller is moved to the position indicated. by the dotted circled, 'which movement clamps the sealing-plates :together and seals the open end of the canagainst .the rubber gasket carried `by the inner sealing plate. The opening of the air-duct 39 in the hu'b is at'a proper oint to admit air to :the sealinghead after t e can has been clamped in place,

IOO

IZO

` and if the can be-Without leaks it will be car-y ried around the machine and discharged afL similar plate 86, the face of which is prefer# ter one revolution by the action of the dis-` charge-cam.

-The ring-plate"7 has secured thereto near the side lopposite t the segmental plate 8O a ably on the same horizontal plane. The plate 86' has secured thereto a trip-lever 87,A which .pivoted to extends diagonally beneath the plate and is the plate'at its rear end-by means of a pivot 88. The trip-lever .at its forwardy end has an upwardly-proj'ecting contact-head 89,`whichlies below the path of travel ofthe plunger 62 'whensaid plunger is raised, but

'- which lies Within the pathof travel 'off the plunger (indicated bythe dotted circle e) whenthe plungeris dropped. The-trip-lever has connected-and' movable therewith a forzo wardly-tapered'lcam-nger 90, which' nor-` mally occupies the' osi'tion shown in full lines in Fig. 3,- but whic 'is adapted to be! thrown into the positionshown in'dotted lines. 'When in normal position, the roller 79vwill pass outside of the cam-finger, but when thrown into the osition shown in dotted lines the roller will be brought in contact'with the inneror cam surface 910i the cam-finger and the rod,

' actuated yby the roller, Will'be moved to dis-f f from that vprovided forfthe dischar e 'o peri throwf into abnormal position it is returned' charge adefectivecan 'at -a different oint feet cans. Afterthe tri -lever as' Deen to n'ormal position by the action ofa s ring 92 or other suitable mechanism. After t ev lun- `ger has drop' edit will beag'ain raise into' position to a low' for the forward projection vof the catch-fin er 56 by means of a cam 93,

.which is prefera ly located ata-suitable point so as to raise the plungersubsequent to theinsertion and sealing of a can.

:In use 'the'cans are fed down the chuteand 'fallin position and are Vclamped between the sealing-plates by the'action ofthe locking- 'cam 84ywhich throws the roller froman inwardlyprojected to anoutWardly-projected position thereby movin the bell-crank leverV 77 andrt 'e link 76, Whic actuates the recip-l rocatingrod 68, carrying the-outer or movable sealing-'plate Air is then admitted 1 'through the b0re'42 inthe sealin -vhead to the condition, none of the air so *admitted willescape through .the can andi a predetermined A 51, which raises the stud '49, forcing the b ev' f end ofthe catch-ngerand thrustin 'said-f interior of the can. I f the .can e in perfect pressure wil be exerted against the diaphragm eled or cam'surface 55 against the tapered finger forward, so as to hold it beneat the i' head 61 of the plunger 62. This action of the diaphragm serves to hold the plunger raised during the entire'revolution of the sealing'- head and can carried thereby and 'until the can is discharged at the' proper point by the action'of the discharge-cam 82, which throws the roller inwardly 'and thereby moves the re-l r ciprocating rod outwardly to release the can prior to the linsertion' of another'can into thesame head. The discharge of the can relieves vagainst the diaphragm will be insufiicient tot hold the'stud 491m raised position, but said stud will fall, allowing the retractionv of the catch-linger and allowin the plunger to drop.

When the plunger has rop ed, its-lowered end will occupy ,'a position w 'ch will bring it into contact with the outwardly-projectlng head 89 of' thetrip-lever-'87 as shown by ther dotted' circle e, andthe contact of.A the projecting' plunger will throw thetrip-lever out-Ay wardly and with itthe jca'mffing'er' 90, bringhold the plunger i I be introduced into thema- A ing the 'cam-surface 91 into the samel relative position with respect to the roller 'as the camvsurfa'ce82yso 'that the defective can will be discharged at the proper-point.

he operation of the .device 1s entirely aumatic and dispenses with the -necessit ant. The operation is continuous, a new can being inserted'immediately after a testedcan has been discharged, and the arrangementis o'ne which enables la large number of 'sealingheads'` to be mounted and operated on the same machine. Y

- Itwill -be seen from theoregoing descripfor immersingthe cans in a'bath of Water an subjecting them .to the inspeption'oaiiatteiidfV N ico tion that the .can-testin machmeofrpresejnt invention is one by whic cans may be tested very Irapidl and, the operation being 'autosmatic, no efective cans. willbe overlooked IIO the carelessness or inability lof the attend ant, whichA is sometimes the case in can-testing machmes of 'ordinary construct1on. At

.the same time the machinesaves theflabor'of an attendant` and delivers the cans dryand ready for use. Although the invention has been describ edl `.with considerable ypartic1'11ari ty,it is not' intended to limit the invention to recise mechanical detailsherein shown an described, as such details may be modified considerably without departing from the spirit of the in vention.

What I regard lasnew, and' desireto secure 2 5 1. In a cant'estmg machine, a sealin -head provided with a fixed sealingplate an a re'lby Letters Patent, is

atively movable sealing-plate and, provided with air-passages-iopeni1'1g through the fixed sealing-p ate for admitting pressure to a can held between the plates, a slidable rod upon,

which the movable sealing-plate is mounted,

i mechanism for moving theslidable rod, a

iexible diaphragm in communication with the air-passage through the sealing-head, a plunger, a catch-finger adapted to hold the plunger raised when the diaphragm is in 'one position and adapted to allow the plunger to fall when the diaphragm is an another osition, a cam adapted to actuate the ro -moving mechanism to discharge perfect cans at a predetermined point,- a trip-lever adaptedto be4 contacted and thrown by the.1 lunger when the latter is actuated bythe eakage of airl from an imperfect can, a cam movable with the trip-lever and adapted whenmoved to actuate the rod-moving mechanism to discharge an imperfect can at a predetermined point, substantially as described;

2. In a can-testing machine, thecombinationof a revoluble pla-te having a plurality of sealing-heads radially projecting therefrom, each of the sealing-heads having a fixed seal'- ing-plate and a relatively movable sealingplate for holding and sealing the cans between the lates, a slidablerod upon which the movab e sealing-plate is mounted ,mechanism for sliding the rod to lock and release .the cans, a diaphragm adapted'to be actuated by the pressure admitted to the cans, a plunger adapted to be held-in. one osition when full pressure is exerted onv t e diaphragm, and adapted to be moved to a different position when the reduced pressure of a leaky can is exerted on the diaphragm, a triplever adapted to be contacted and vthrown .by the plunger when in one position, a camfinger connected and movable with 4-the triplever and adapted when'moved to actuate Y and adapted to dischargecompressed air into a can, a diaphragm in communication with. Athe air-passage, a stud with a beveled 'end adapted to be raised and lowered by the movements of the diaphragm, a catch-finger provided with'a beveled end adapted to abut against the beveled end of the stud, a plunger provided with a shoulder adapted to be engaged by the catch-finger to hold the plunger m raised position when pressure is exerted .on the diaphragm to raise the stud and outwardly project the catch finger, means actuated bythe plunger when inlowered position for discharging imperfect cans at a predetermined point, and means for discharging 'descri ed.

perfect cans at 'a predetermined point, substan'tia'lly as described.

4. In a can-testing machine, a sealinghead consisting of a fixed sealing-plate,a

movable sealin -plate slidably mounted with;

respect to the xed sealing-plate, an air-passage opening through `the fixed sealing-plate and adapted to discharge compressed air into a can, a diaphragm in communication with the air-passage, a stud with a beveled end adapted to be raised and lowered by the movements of the diaphragm, a catch-finger provided with a beveled end adapted to abut against the'beveled end of the stud, a plunger provided with fa shoulder ada ted vto be engaged by the catch-finger to ho d the plunger i in raised position when pressure is exertedon the diaphragm to raise the stud and outwardly project the catch-iinger, a lever for moving the movable sealinglate, a cam for throwing the lever to disc arge perfect cans at a predetermined point, a trip mechanism adapted to be actuated by the projected plunger to throw the lever and discharge imperfect cans at a different predetermined point, substantially as described.

' 5. In a can-testing machine, a sealing-head i adapted to receive and pneumatically seala can and provided with an air-passage for admitting com ressed air to the interior of the surfaces in direct communication with the air-passage leading to the can for normally can, a flexib e diaphragm having one of its x causing pressure to act on one side only of the i diaphragm for outwardly projecting the same, the pressure being equal within the can and against the diaphravm,'mechanism actuated by a retraction of the diaphragm due to a decrease of pressure within the can and against the diaphragm for discharging an imperfect can at a predetermined point, means for holding the can against t e sealing-head, and mechanism for discharging the perfect cans at a redetermined point, substantially as 6. In a can-testing machine, a sealing-head AIOO IIO

adapted to receive and pneumatically seal a l 'i' can an'dprovided with an air-passage for admitting com ressed air to the interlorof the can, a iiexib e diaphragm having one of its surfaces in direct communication with the air-passage leading to the can for normally causing pressure to act on oneside only ofthe diaphragm for outwardly projecting the same the pressure being equal within the can and against the diaphragm, a stud carried on the incompressed side of the dia hragm, and

mechanism actuated by the fal of the stud4 due to the retraction of the diaphragm for discharging the imperfect cans at a predetermined point, means for holding the can against the sealing-head, and mechanism for discharging perfect cans Iat a predetermined point, substantially as delclribed.

7. In a can-testing mac 'ne`, a sealing-head adapted to receive Aand pneumatcally seal. a can and provided with an air-passage for admitting com ressed airto the interior of the can, a flexib e diaphragm having one of its surfaces in direct communication With the air-passage leading 4to the can for normally 'causing pressure t0 act n one side only of the diaphragm for outwardly projecting the same, the pressure being equal Within the can and against the "dia hragm, a stud resting u p'on the outer side oFthediaphragm, a spring surrounding the stud.vv and ada ted to equalize the pressure on both sides o 'the diaphragm,

predetermined point, substantially as described.

8. Ina can-testing machine, a sealing-head adapted to receive and pneumatically seal a can and provided 4with an air assage leading to the interior of the can, a iaphragm'having its inner face only in direct communica tion with the air-passa e'forreceivng thereon a pressure equal to t e pressure Within'the can, a plunger adapted to be actuated by movements of the diaphragm dueto a'decrease of pressure thereon caused by leakage 'from the can, and mechanismactuated by the plunger -for releasing an imperfect 'can at a predetermined point, means for holding the can a ainst the sealing-head, and mechanism for re easing perfect cans at a di'erent re- 3 5 determined point, substantially as descri ed.

, CHARLES B. MGDONALD.

vWitnesses;V v

WALKER BANNING, EPHRAIM BANNING. 

